Sichuan Pavilion: A D.C. Spot for Chinese Food

Just a block from Farragut Square on Washington, D.C.'s K Street, you’ll find the Sichuan Pavilion, a great place for authentic Szechuan cuisine. Szechuan food is a bit spicier than other varieties of Chinese food, but there are also a lot of favorites on the menu.

Popular appetizers include the Dumplings in Sichuan Sauce and Squid with Pepper Salt. You’ll find interesting soups like Crab Meat and Asparagus and Preserved Turnip. The selection of authentic Szechuan and traditional Chinese entrees are so varied, everyone will find a favorite dish. You can also get everything served family-style!

Sichuan Pavilion is open every day for lunch, dinner or a late bite.

Sichuan Pavilion:
1814 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 466-7790

www.sichuan-pavilion.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sichuan-pavilion-washington

Keren Restaurant: Fabulous Ethiopian Cuisine

The cuisine of Ethiopia isn’t one that announces itself boldly – instead, you need to give it time to make its charms apparent. One of the best places to get an introduction to this complex and rewarding food is Keren Restaurant in Washington, D.C. Regulars rave about the incredible dedication to flavor on display in every dish. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian food, it’s served family-style on enormous platters and eaten with the hands and torn-off pieces of a moist, bitter bread called injera, and it's perfect for dining out as a group. Some of the best dishes at Keren include the fuul, a paste made from chickpeas that is expertly spiced and very filling, as well as the spicy eggs silsi. Keren might just be one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in the D.C. metro area.

Keren Restaurant
1780 Florida Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-5764
www.yelp.com/biz/keren-restaurant-washington
www.washingtoncitypaper.com/food/restaurantfinder/restaurants/2923/keren

The Pretzel Bakery: Tasty Twists

How good can a pretzel be, really? That’s a question you’ll never ask yourself again after your first visit to The Pretzel Bakery. Producing hand-rolled, small batch Philly-style soft pretzels out of a small door in a tiny storefront, this local favorite has grown into a Washington, D.C. destination spot for hearty snackers. So what’s the big draw? Plain and simple, these are some of the best pretzels you’ve ever eaten. Soft and fluffy on the inside with the perfect amount of crust and salt on the outside, all you need to pair them with is a little mustard (which you dispense yourself) and you’ve got the snack of a century. You can also opt for fancier toppings like Nutella and caramel mustard for a buck. Considering pretzels are just $2 apiece (and cheaper if you buy in bulk), that’s quite a deal. The Pretzel Bakery also lets you quench your thirst with a variety of Pennsylvania regional soda pops.

The Pretzel Bakery
340 15th Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 251-0953

www.thepretzelbakery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-pretzel-bakery-washington

Mellow Mushroom: Tasty Pies in Adams Morgan

Want to tune out and get turned on to a great place? Come to the Mellow Mushroom in Adams Morgan. Founded by a couple of friends who wanted to open a great place to go with friends, the Mellow Mushroom is just that – a great spot for a day or night out with friends. If you like beer, you’ve come to the right place, with a large variety of brews by the bottle and on tap to complement a full bar. The munchies and salads are tasty, but Mellow Mushroom is all about the pizza. Specialty pies like the Thai Dye and Maui Wowie are terrific, and you can also make your own pizza from a list of fresh ingredients. There are also hot calzones and cold or hot hoagies on the menu, something for everybody. And it’s all available for takeout. Having a party? Let Mellow Mushroom be your laid-back caterer!

Mellow Mushroom
2436 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 2000

(202) 290-2778

www.mellowmushroom.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mellow-mushroom-washington-2

Corduroy: Seasonal American Cuisine

The fabric corduroy is made for warmth and comfort, perfectly named for Corduroy Restaurant. Located in Northwest Washington, Corduroy offers classic American cuisine in an equally classic setting. The dining room is made to be cozy, but don’t even think about coming in jeans, shorts or sneakers – this is a dressy casual place!

For dinner, try the prix fixe menu, made special by the chef, and changing with the seasons. You can’t go wrong with the dinner menu, which includes tasty first and second courses. You know that everything you get is fresh because Corduroy makes it a point to use products from nearby farms and suppliers. It’s not a big menu, but the choices are well worth it, with delicious soups, salads and apps, followed by interesting entrees. A tasting menu lets you sample some of the chef's latest creations.

Check out Corduroy's website to find out more about this DC eatery!

Corduroy
1122 9th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 589-0699

www.corduroydc.com
www.yelp.com/biz/corduroy-washington-4

New Course: Sandwich Spectacular

If you’re in the Judicial Square area and need a sizable lunch to fill you up for the rest of the day, D.C. diners might point you in the direction of New Course. This deli and catering company has a well-earned reputation for producing huge, delicious deli sandwiches made with fresh ingredients. If it’s your first time there, go for the club sandwich – it’s regarded as a perfect take on a classic, piled high and perfectly seasoned. The company is also a strong force in the community, providing culinary arts training and job placement for men and women. Many of the program’s graduates have gone on to successful careers, so your sandwich helps a very good cause.

New Course
500 3rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 347-7035

www.newcoursecatering.com
www.yelp.com/biz/new-course-washington

Hana Japanese Grocery: Snack Factory

This charming convenience store and grocery has won a reputation among locals as the best place in town for authentic Japanese food ingredients and snack foods. Japanese cuisine is remarkably complex and requires some stuff that you won’t find in a typical grocery store. Some of the most popular items on the shelves here include a wide variety of miso pastes, which are used as bases for soups, marinades, and more. Most places offer two types: red and white. Hana goes way beyond that, stocking dozens of unique regional miso blends from all over Japan. Their noodle selection is also very good, with a wide range of udon and soba perfect for all kinds of dishes. And, of course, they boast tons of Japanese snacks, chips, candies, and more. It’s also incredibly easy to get to by public transportation, which is a big plus.

Hana Japanese Grocery
2000 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 939-8853
www.facebook.com/hana.japanese.market
www.yelp.com/biz/hana-japanese-market-washington

Taberna Del Alabardero: Spanish Food, Great to Share

Taberna Del Alabardero is the place for tapas, paella and good times. Located just a block away from Farragut Square in Washington, D.C., Taberna Del Alabardero serves traditional Spanish cuisine. Come into the restaurant and you’ll immediately like the décor, with tapestries, paintings and other decorations that serve as the perfect counterpoint to a delightful meal. Tapas are little plates of hot or cold food to share, and you’ll find excellent selections here. Eating tapas promotes conversation, and that’s what makes Taberna Del Alabardero such a happening place. And the traditional paella can be made with different seafood or meat, combined with rice in a pan and also great for sharing. So come with friends, try some interesting Spanish wine and share to your hearts delight!

Taberna Del Alabardero
1776 I Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 429-2200
www.alabardero.com
www.yelp.com/biz/taberna-del-alabardero-washington

Room 11: Make Room for Great Food

Tiny is one of the adjectives frequently used to describe Washington, D.C.'s Room 11. But great things come in small packages, and Room 11 has become a favorite spot to chill out with friends, sip a relaxing beverage, and indulge in one of the tasting plates like the lamb and chorizo kebabs or some Spanish olives and Marcona almonds. The friendly neighborhood vibe is young and hip and perfectly suited for an after work or late night hang. New items added to the menu include taste tempters like Potato Leek Soup, Baked Walnut Tart, and Honey Goat Cheesecake with Meyer lemon curd. Bar newcomers are the intriguingly named Prodigal Son cocktail and Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top Champagne. Room 11 also serves Sunday brunch.

Room 11
3234 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 332-3234

Casbah Cafe: Delicious Mediterranean Cuisine in Washington, D.C.

Come to the Casbah for a taste of Morocco combined with a touch of the Mediterranean. Traditional slow stewing methods result in exotically spiced stews such as chicken and lamb tajine, named after the clay cooking pot commonly used in North Africa. Other dishes include Lamb Souvlaki, Greek Spaghetti, and Moussaka. Salads and gyro sandwiches also make an appearance on the menu along with a variety of tasty sides, including hummus, spanikopita, and fried calamari. Order the Mezze Sampler to indulge in an array of exotic tastes that include spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves, tzatziki, and baba ghanoush. Casbah Cafe is open every day for lunch and dinner.

Casbah Cafe
1721 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-7100

Pin It on Pinterest